Committees

The Carbondale Chamber works through the efforts of three standing committees. Membership on any committee is open to any Chamber member. (Prior to attending a meeting, please call the Chamber office to confirm the meeting time and place.)

Carbondale Young Professionals

Board Representative: Justin Zurlinden, Realty Central

Chair: Nic Skovgaard, Alter Ego Marketing

Meets: Time and location varies. Check the Chamber calendar for events

Focus: Bringing together young professionals from across the Southern Illinois region to grow personally and professionally through a variety of activities and events, including:

Networking

Professional Development

Personal Growth

Community Service

Membership in CYP is open to any young professional in Southern Illinois whether or not the individual's organization is a Carbondale Chamber member. Individual dues are payable annually. For more on this committee, visit the CYP page.

Ambassadors Committee

Board Representative: Jim Jacobs, Jacobs Air Conditioning and Heating

Chair: Todd Darnstaedt, Today's Technology

Meets: Noon, Second Tuesday of the Month at the Chamber Office

Focus: Promoting Chamber member participation, Recruitment and Retention of members, Planning and implementation of special events such as:

Ribbon Cuttings

Open Houses/Grand Openings/Anniversary Celebrations

Business After Hours Gatherings

Saluki Pride Committee

Board Representative: Darren Berger, The Bank of Carbondale

Chair: Michael Lewallen, Regions Bank

Meets: Noon, First Thursday of the Month at the Chamber Office

Focus: The purpose of the Saluki Pride committee is to present a positive image of SIU Carbondale, to foster a close relationship between the University and the business community and to aid in the recruitment and retention of students.

SIU Open Houses/Orientation and Week of welcome

Saluki Athletics

Saluki Stay Scholarships

Homecoming and University Events

Paw Prints

Government Affairs Committee

Focus: Advocacy at the state - local and federal levels, Gather member opinions through surveys and polls, Strengthen business-government relations, Candidate Forums. Most recently, the committee spearheaded successful efforts to modify the Carbondale City Codes regarding signange and banners to better serve area businesses.

Resources: Carbondale Chamber members have access to governmental affairs programs of the Illinois Chamber of Commerce and the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. For the latest Illinois Chamber of Commerce Government Affairs Report, click here.